King Lear

King Lear Assignment  

We will watch the video of Houseman Directs Lear  in the class in which we discuss the play. You may also want to  rent a video production of King Lear and watch it before class discussion. Write a journal entry reviewing the video. You are, of course, expected to read the play as well in preparation for class discussion  and should include a journal entry discussing the text. (Your journal should thus have two entries for Lear -- one for the text, one for the video). Be ready to discuss "Things to think about" as listed below.

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Things to think about:

What is natural? Unnatural?

What are the responsibilities of parents? Of children?

When is one old?

What is the connection among authority, responsibility and privilege?

Where do illusion and reality interconnect?

What is the connection between language and emotion?

What is the nature of tragedy in King Lear?

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Relationships

King Lear

Retainers

Wife-Earl of Gloucester-mistress

Regan-- Duke of Cornwall

Goneril-- Duke of Albany

Cordelia-- King of France

Earl of Kent
Fool  
Servant 
Oswald Gentleman Doctor 
Curan 
Captain 
old man

Edgar

Edmund

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Plays or Rituals with the Play:

Love test: Lear and daughters

Torture scene: Gloucester, Cornwall and Regan

Poor Tom: Edgar, Lear and Gloucester

Suicide and exorcism: Edgar and Gloucester

Mock courtroom scene: Lear, Edgar/Poor Tom and Fool

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heron

Return to: Syllabus

Return to: ENL 2010

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